Railroad crossing vehicle accidents killed 24 people in Illinois last year – enough to rank the state fourth in the nation, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.

That figure is quite good, considering there are more than 8,000 public railroad crossings in the state, said Chip Pew, coordinator of Illinois Operation Lifesaver.

The group is Illinois’ chapter of the organization, which began in Idaho 31 years ago to reduce the number of railroad accidents.

“It’s a three-prong approach,” Pew said. “Education, engineering and enforcement.”

Operation Lifesaver works to educate people about the responsibilities they have in dealing with railroads, Pew said.

Katie Leinweber, manager at Fatty’s Pub & Grill, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway, said she thought a fence near the tracks could minimize the potential for an accident behind the business.

“It’s a concern a little bit,” Leinweber said. “Maybe the city or the railroad could put up a fence like across the tracks.”

The homes on the south side of the Union Pacific Railroad have a wood fence separating them from the railroad.

DeKalb once considered installing fences around the railroad to prevent pedestrians from crossing between intersections.

“There was some debate whether it’s our responsibility or the railroad’s,” said Ralph Tompkins, director of public works.

The city gave up on the idea, Tompkins said, and hasn’t revisited it since. There were problems with buildings being too close to the tracks and possibly building the fence on railroad property. Safety improvements are up to the railroad and the state.

“Most people think if an intersection had more lights and gates, accidents would be avoided,” Pew said. “People don’t realize 55 percent of accidents occur at crossings with the best protection. A train only hits something that’s in its way.”

A train cannot stop quickly enough to avoid an accident, but a car or a person can, he said. Rushed drivers may ignore warning devices or misjudge the speed and distance of an oncoming train.

Driving the education portion of the organization is the “Look, Listen and Live” campaign. The program concentrates its efforts on educating school-age children about the dangers of railroad crossings.

Enforcement of existing laws also will help save lives, Pew said.

Illinois law currently levies a $500 fine for disobeying railroad crossing lights or gates.

Railroads are considered private property, and train engineers will call police if they see someone trespassing.

Still, Pew said, some people will be involved in train accidents every year.

“No degree of education and engineering will detract from those people that are going to break the law,” he said. “Some people just don’t care.”